Ibuprofen in osteoarthritis.

In a double-blind, multiclinic study, 437 patients with osteoarthritis were treated sequentially with ibuprofen, 1,800 mg/day, and placebo, or with aspirin, 3,600 mg/day, and placebo. Each treatment was given for four weeks. Considering relief of pain, ability to function, and general well-being, the patients preferred drug to placebo, usually by a statistically significant margin. Combined results showed no significant differences between ibuprofen and aspirin. Patients' evaluations of exercise-related pain, ability to perform a selected activity, and total discomfort and disability, and physicians' evaluations of discomfort and disability, all favored drug over placebo, and the differences were significant for a number of endpoints. The results indicated ibuprofen, 1,800 mg/day, offers about the same antiarthritic benefit as aspirin, 3,600 mg/day. Both drugs are superior to placebo. The incidence of gastrointestinal complaints with ibuprofen was similar to that with placebo and significantly lower than that with aspirin.